A goal from second half substitute Vinicius Junior was enough for Real Madrid to edge out a stubborn Real Valladolid side at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano in Wednesday night’s La Liga.
The Brazilian forward missed out on a spot in Zinedine Zidane’s starting line-up but replaced Luka Jovic before the hour mark and his impact was almost instant.
WHAT A SAVE… and then off the bar! 🙀
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It was a scrappy goal that was indicative of the game, although Valladolid this time – in what was otherwise an exemplary display of defensive resilience – could not clear their lines and allowed Vinicius to net from close range.
This was not a vintage display from Los Blancos and whilst they largely had reasonable control of proceedings, this was a game that was finely balanced throughout and in which Thibaut Courtois made several fine stops.
The result keeps Valladolid in the relegation zone – with two points from their opening four games – while Madrid are now third with seven points from three matches.